Some people of kashmir origin claim that we are descendants of Ancient Persian Aryans who migrated to kashmir to spread Islam in the valley. While scholars claim that majority of kashmiris in fact are of Dardic Stock with considerable ammount of Persian and Afghan mixture.

As a kashmiri living in US i am verymuch interested in history and origin of my people so a detailed answer or a link would be great.

Hmm it seems you are right. But i jabe noticed that majority of us have distinct facial features from Persians, Afghans and north west Indians yet we still resemble all 3 ethinic groups of south asia.

Its not hard to find a Blond, red haired or Light eyed people in kashmir as my own family members have blue eyed members including me (turned to brown as i became adult).

People sometimes even claim that kashmiris are Lost tribe of Israel while other stay tough on aryan (Iranic-Dardic) origin however, my grandfather used to tell me that we were kashmiri Pandits who became Muslim so its quite puzzling for me lol.

The lost tribe of Israel is hogwash. In thousands of years there have been quite some mingling. Therefore, facial and bodily differences are not surprising. Sure, my mother and younger brother are blue eyed. I have greenish blue eyes. Hindu Kashmiris endured much persecution and majority of them converted to Islam in the valley. Not much of a puzzle. Your surname indicate that. Your surname also suggests that your family is not 'karkun' but 'guru', i.e., from the section of the society which performed rituals (practicing brahmins) - like my family. Does your family have remembrance of your lineage (gotra)?

The lost tribe of Israel is hogwash. In thousands of years there have been quite some mingling. Therefore, facial and bodily differences are not surprising. Sure, my mother and younger brother are blue eyed. I have greenish blue eyes. Hindu Kashmiris endured much persecution and majority of them converted to Islam in the valley. Not much of a puzzle. Your surname indicate that. Your surname also suggests that your family is not 'karkun' but 'guru', i.e., from the section of the society which performed rituals (practicing brahmins) - like my family. Does your family have remembrance of your lineage (gotra)?

Thank you for conforming my doubt. Good to see that our Koshur hindu brothers still have their blood pure after all genocide happened.

Can you tell me what my surname indicates ? I didn't get you there. And what is the main difference between karkun and guru ? I am verymuch interested in knowing my own history, unfortunately i dont think that anyone in my famoly knows our lineage today, i have to ask to my grandfather or uncle hehe.

Karkuns (lterally Government officials): This is the majority section of the Kashmiri brahmin society. All surnames that you commonly hear of, Raina, Kaul, Nehru, Razdan, Sapru, Kitchlu, etc., belong to this division.

Gurus (the brahmins who conducted the rituals for karkuns): This is the minority division, proud of carrying the traditions and scriptural knowledge. In Kashmiri (Gore).

Your surname, Rajguru, indicates that your family may have been the priests to an important family, perhaps a wazir or even a king.

Some people of kashmir origin claim that we are descendants of Ancient Persian Aryans who migrated to kashmir to spread Islam in the valley. While scholars claim that majority of kashmiris in fact are of Dardic Stock with considerable ammount of Persian and Afghan mixture.

As a kashmiri living in US i am verymuch interested in history and origin of my people so a detailed answer or a link would be great.

Intresting. I though Kashmiris were mostly indigenous people. I had no idea Kashmiris also traced their ancestry to Persians or Islamic missionaries.

Not much there about the period we are discussing - Pre-Alexander Kashmir.

Quote:

Originally Posted by songtsen

Interesting. I though Kashmiris were mostly indigenous people. I had no idea Kashmiris also traced their ancestry to Persians or Islamic missionaries.

People from all around Kashmir came to the valley, and in the same way Kashmiris went to the places all around the valley. One of my relative met a Muslim family in Tajikistan which traced its roots from Kashmir.

The whole region belonged to IE people (Aryans) at one point in history. Kashmir valley is supposed to have been populated by Kamboja people. Alexander fought with the Kambojas - Komedos and Aspasioi, Assakenoi (Ashvakas of Swat valley). My family also is supposed to have a Kamboja origin.

Kashmiri brahmins are supposed to be 'Saraswata brahmins', i.e., from the Vedic brahmins, who at one time were settled in the valley of the near-extinct river, Saraswati (at a short distance North-West of Delhi). With the drying up of the region around 1,500 BC, they dispersed in all directions.

Karkuns (lterally Government officials): This is the majority section of the Kashmiri brahmin society. All surnames that you commonly hear of, Raina, Kaul, Nehru, Razdan, Sapru, Kitchlu, etc., belong to this division.

Gurus (the brahmins who conducted the rituals for karkuns): This is the minority division, proud of carrying the traditions and scriptural knowledge. In Kashmiri (Gore).

Your surname, Rajguru, indicates that your family may have been the priests to an important family, perhaps a wazir or even a king.

Wow thays awesome !

Can you tell me why my ancestors converted to islam when we were such a prestigious bunch of people ?